Critical Appreciation: "Overshadowed by your Absence" by Aziz Mountassir

In the realm of poetry, where words are wielded as emotional daggers, Aziz Mountassir's "Overshadowed by your Absence" stands out as a masterpiece of lyrical expression. This poignant poem delves into the depths of love, longing, and the existential despair that accompanies the absence of the beloved.

The poem's central theme – the overwhelming presence of absence – is expertly woven throughout the narrative. Mountassir's use of imagery and symbolism creates a richly textured landscape, where the reader is invited to immerse themselves in the poet's emotional turmoil. The lines "The city lights of my heart go out in your absence, / Like a moonless sky, lost in darkness" set the tone for a poignant exploration of the human heart, one that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.

One of the most striking aspects of this poem is its use of metaphor. The comparison of the beloved's absence to a "moonless sky" is a masterful stroke of poetic genius, highlighting the desolate and barren landscape of the poet's emotional world. The image of "whisper shadows" and "flowers of my life" that "wilt with your departure" adds to the sense of desolation, underscoring the idea that the beloved's absence has drained the poet's life of its vitality and color.

Mountassir's use of language is characterized by its precision and economy, with each word carefully chosen to convey the nuances of his emotional vision. The poem's structure and form are equally impressive, with a clear and consistent rhythm that underscores the poet's message. The use of enjambment and caesura adds to the poem's sense of flow, mirroring the natural cadence of the human voice.

The poem's exploration of the complexities of love is equally impressive. Mountassir's portrayal of love as a force that is both creative and destructive, life-affirming and soul-crushing, is a nuanced and deeply insightful one. The lines "You wake storms in my veins, / A whirlwind of longing, of burning desire" capture the all-consuming passion of love, while the image of being "carried away by the waves" and finding "peace" in the "wreck" of the beloved's love underscores the idea that love can be both redemptive and annihilating.

In conclusion, "Overshadowed by your Absence" is a masterpiece of poetic expression, one that offers a profound and deeply personal exploration of the human heart. Mountassir's use of metaphor, imagery, and symbolism creates a richly textured landscape, one that invites the reader to immerse themselves in the poet's emotional world. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience, and to the skill and sensitivity of its author.

India🇮🇳 Bharat 

Dr Ashok Kumar

International Peace activist 

International mystic poet 

Ambassador of IFCH Morocco Africa 

International Critic